After opening all of our shiny new gifts Christmas Day, Auntie Beth slipped a little bag in my hand as we were walking out the door to head home. She said, "Oh its just something small, open it when you get home". After we unloaded my car and settled in, I peaked in the bag, read the card, and opened the gift, in the bag was a framed poem and a kaleidoscope. I stood there as I read the poem, crying and smiling. It is my favorite gift, I feel as though this poem is what I have been feeling and thinking for the past year. It brings me back to a conversation that Alec and I once had. About how those living with cancer experience life differently, we see things in a new light and never take a single moment for granted. Although you wouldn't wish cancer on anyone, you wish that they could experience life the way you do now, and its something that you cant even describe or explain until you go though it yourself. Thank you to the Lombardos, for the most special gift.
The Kaleidoscope of Life
By Sandy Brown
The kaleidoscope of life takes many turns.
Just get through today, for tomorrow we yearn.
When the hard times are over, then we'll enjoy.
We'll take time to appreciate each girl and boy.
When this is accomplished and that is done,
we'll gaze at the colors as reflected by the sun.
In an instant, a moment, a simple phone call.
From the domain of the healthy we quickly fall.
Plunged into darkness, disbelief, and fear,
We had such great plans for the coming years.
Our lives changed forever, we look
once again, as the colors of our kaleidoscope
become muddled, and dim.
Out of focus and out of light;
overwhelmed by the deep darkness of night.
We somehow gather the strength and resolve
to accept our disease and get involved.
We take charge of our lives and ready the fight.
We look once again toward the light.
Everything is now different as our kaleidoscope turns.
The colors, so brilliant, the light brightly burns.
We wonder at the beauty like never before.
The dazzling colors?we want to see more!
With each gentle turn we gaze in awe.
Have the leaves always been this color in Fall?
Have the flowers of Springtime always bloomed like this?
Have my family and friends always brought me such bliss?
Every day now counts. We seek something good.
We wish for a moment that everyone could
See through our eyes the joy and delight.
The extraordinary vision into our kaleidoscope of life.
The Kaleidoscope of Life
By Sandy Brown
The kaleidoscope of life takes many turns.
Just get through today, for tomorrow we yearn.
When the hard times are over, then we'll enjoy.
We'll take time to appreciate each girl and boy.
When this is accomplished and that is done,
we'll gaze at the colors as reflected by the sun.
In an instant, a moment, a simple phone call.
From the domain of the healthy we quickly fall.
Plunged into darkness, disbelief, and fear,
We had such great plans for the coming years.
Our lives changed forever, we look
once again, as the colors of our kaleidoscope
become muddled, and dim.
Out of focus and out of light;
overwhelmed by the deep darkness of night.
We somehow gather the strength and resolve
to accept our disease and get involved.
We take charge of our lives and ready the fight.
We look once again toward the light.
Everything is now different as our kaleidoscope turns.
The colors, so brilliant, the light brightly burns.
We wonder at the beauty like never before.
The dazzling colors?we want to see more!
With each gentle turn we gaze in awe.
Have the leaves always been this color in Fall?
Have the flowers of Springtime always bloomed like this?
Have my family and friends always brought me such bliss?
Every day now counts. We seek something good.
We wish for a moment that everyone could
See through our eyes the joy and delight.
The extraordinary vision into our kaleidoscope of life.
